The school year went by so quickly for us--definitely the busiest we've seen. So I'm doing a school year-in-review by the month. Enjoy!
AUGUST -- school started...a new schools for all three kids:
1. Samuel to the high school
2. Brie (back) to junior high, but in a new building
SEPTEMBER -- Rockdale's Bicentennial kicked off!
Samuel joined the marching band, which coincided with our high school premiering a gorgeous new football stadium. It was so exciting!
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The clarinets!
Sebastian's soccer team celebrating after beating the parents and siblings!
On Grand Friends Day, Mr. Kevin visited Sebastian at school! π
And I hosted a Cabi party in our new house--such a good time always!
It took Blossom no time at all to become a little obsessed with how much promise the wilderness of our backyard holds...
Clarinet section dinner!
Samuel's band buddy Matthias (on the left) was the grandson of our former neighbors in Storybook...such a small world! And new friend Ruben (on the right)!
We renovated our half bath! Before:
And after:
Brie was in the Junior High's fall play Einstein's Brains. She played the Museum Director at the Museum for Surgical Science.
Complete with a zombie "Thriller" dance!
And a conveyer belt sushi restaurant opened in Montgomery!! The line was out the door, but we finally got in, and it was delicious and very entertaining!
Gammy and Granddaddy Rob celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Williamsburg Inn--with dinner at the very same table as their wedding night!
Halloween! Brie and Paige went as campers at Camp Half Blood (from the Percy Jackson book series).
Samuel and buddies had a party (that apparently involved some hazardous materials).
And Brie carved a Blossom pumpkin!
Sebastian knew just what he wanted to be--Pekka from Clash Royale--but they don't make that costume. So we looked online and found a homemade one on eBay...for a 9 year old!! We ordered it and it was amazing!
The big haul!
NOVEMBER -- ready for Thanksgiving!
Awh, fall...
Samuel's first creation in Woodworking: a shelf set for his bedroom!
We went to see Brie's friend Sam's school's AMAZING production of The Little Mermaid.
Donuts with Grownups at Symmes Elementary!
The marching band went to Orlando and marched in the Disney Parade!!
Samuel is below--right to the left of the paper cup.
They visited four parks in four days and had a blast!
And the fall band concert: Brie and Ziva in the flute section!
On Thanskgiving, we ran the Paulmeadows Turkey Trot! (I confess that I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with its own Turkey Trot...ha!) It was chilly, but we had some good runs--Tony got 3rd place overall (beaten by two speedy teens)!
We once again hosted Tony's lab and international department members for the big meal, so we had all the staples...
Plus lots of special side dishes.
Cheese!
Not fun in November? A college student rear-ended my car on a rainy day. My car was mostly fine, but his was not.π
DECEMBER -- holiday celebrations!
Each year, our holiday season seems to get busier and busier...in a good way! There is lots to do and many friends to do it with!
For example, we went out for dinner with buddies Abby and Qui...
And then saw Straight No Chaser...kind of a bucket list check for me!
Holiday spirit in our new digs!
Annual latke making!
The Dreidelites were back again with new members!
Bas got the Mario Kart race track that he'd been playing at a friend's. I got it for a steal and ran out of Target like I'd found the last Cabbage Patch Kid!
The 4th grade put on a very sweet musical about woodland animals!
Samuel (officially) turned 15!
And then we headed to Virginia for more holiday cheer...
And sightseeing in D.C.!
We went to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where the kids all recognized famous figures from school...
And the International Spy Museum!
Bas got equipment to pan for gold--it was a big hit!
And the JETs had our annual Zoom!
Then we were off to VB for beach time...
Yummy meals out!
And Jungle Golf (of course!)...
For New Year's, Beth, Brian, Tony and I tried a new spot in Norfolk. It was delicious!
JANUARY -- into the new year!
And took photos with Joe...
Who did a little crowd-surfing...
The kids opened the time capsule from Rockdale's 175th anniversary. Lots of interesting things inside, including a cassette tape...ha!
FEBRUARY -- winter fun!
Dinner Club sleepover!
Fresh, homemade pasta is the best!
Plus karaoke, of course!!
The 9th annual Rockdale Retreat! Recognize the theme??
Wax Museum Samuel as Joseph Jonas!
Nature hike!
Victory on Trivia Night!
Enjoying the Super Bowl with buddies. π
Tony finally got to see Book of Mormon (delayed from September 2020)!
We got a dusting of snow!
Tim'm and I out for brunch!
MARCH -- Spring Break and back to Florida!
Blossom turned 3! We baked her a dog-friendly cake...
and showered her with love...
We assembled the sofa ourselves, so we can say we built it, right??
It was beautiful but a lot to comprehend.
And then recorded the kids (and enthusiastic adults) singing it. Such a cool experience for Brie!
And then Brie and I participated in the Taylor Swift Purim Shpiel!
A hilarious script and the best shpiel music ever!!
We love Rockdale and our Bicentennial hoodies!
Then we were off to Florida for spring break! It was our first time back to the condo in Ft. Myers since Hurricane Ian...
The beach was beautiful as always, but there are only a few restaurants still standing. Going out to eat was challenging!
We wrapped up Spring Break by grabbing tea and treats with Christine and Katie!
The four of us always have a good time together. Here's a shot of us having tea and yummy baked things back in 2015!
And then Brie was in the junior high's The Little Mermaid as an extra goofy seagull! 
Plus all the buddies!
Our school district is really big on fine arts--I think the statistic is something like over 60% of the students play an instrument. At the end of 4th grade, the kids attend a music fair and get to try as many instruments as they like. Bas tried many, including the saxophone...
And violin. But ultimately, settled on the clarinet, just like Samuel. π
APRIL -- the day the earth went dark!
Once again, Mr. Kevin came out to support Brie...
APRIL -- the day the earth went dark!
We were lucky enough be in the path of the Solar Eclipse this year--the kids even had a day off from school! Brie went with friends to where there was totality and loved it.
Our neighborhood was in the path of 99% totality--still super cool. We had a watch party!
Samuel finished up Invisalign!
And Christine and I went to Art in Bloom--it's our favorite thing!
Samuel served on a teen panel about anti-semitism, racism and LGBTQ+ struggles in schools...
And Brie wrapped up soccer. We knew with Marching Band on the horizon that they'd have to pick one or the other. We'll miss the wonderful coach and teammates...
The Marching Band performed in the local Memorial Day Parade!
We went to Montgomery Inn with the cousins!
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And bid farewell to several of Tony's lab members who were moving on to new things!
We also grabbed frozen yogurt with Rabbi Erin!
And Brie graduated from Sunday School!
We celebrated Passover with Rockdale this year--we loved it!
Samuel was elected VP of Social Action for the youth group.
Ensemble Day!
One of the big perks of moving to our new house has been that, even though Sebastian switched schools just for the 4th grade, the new one has an amazing theater program. He auditioned for and got the part of "Spooky Voice" in Aladdin!
Max came out to cheer on Sebastian...
And so did Ms. Friend, his 3rd grade teacher!
They also recorded a podcast!
And parents!!
4th grade bowling field trip!
And graduation!
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And that was pretty much our school year. Phew! It was packed and flew by. Now we get to do it all over again in a few months!
1 comment:
What an amazing year and wonderful blog. So many fun events. The themes are family, friends and especially love. So enjoyed revisiting this wonderful year with everyone.
Thank you, Steph
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